The Park Blog

​from the library of Harden house museum

The great poet Robert Burns lays claim to the poem and certainly Guy Lombardo made it popular. For those who don't know who those to men are, please leave this page and google. They are truly iconic individuals. Anyway, it's the song that is sung at every New Year's celebration. Seriously. Even if you don't know the lyrics, they're on the TV, the radio, they're everywhere. It's actually pretty funny because it's likely the most famous song that no one knows the lyrics to. People mumble through them because some are old Scottish words and people have no idea what they're saying or what it means. ​Should Old Acquaintance be forgot,and never thought upon;The flames of Love extinguished,and fully past and gone:Is thy sweet Heart now grown so cold,that loving Breast of thine;That thou canst never once reflectOn old long syne.CHORUS:On old long syne my Jo,On old long syne,That thou canst never once reflect,On old long syne.

When good people come and go in your life, it is worth it to take a moment of time, raise a glass and remember those that should never be forgotten. It's not necessarily about friends who have passed away by any means. What the meaning translates to is "Days Gone By." Personally I can picture Mr. Harden toasting Mrs. Harden here in the museum with a glass of champagne. Celebrating the days gone by and the wonderful life they lived that landed them here in Harrybrooke Park. A gentle kiss and a sweet embrace followed and they would give thanks to the joy of their private estate and discuss how much they loved it here in the country. So this year, let us reflect on the days gone by of not just 2017. Let us reflect on the good times enjoyed over the years here in Harrybrooke Park. The joggers, the photographers, the picnics over the years, the parties held on the grounds, the weddings, the quiet walks of contemplation ... and the pure joy that IS Harrybrooke Park.I like to think that Mr. Harden, with his childhood spent in Ireland, would have had this blessing memorized and might say it to his guests:May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your fields.

Welcome and thank you! Welcome to the new website for New Milford's "Hidden Gem." We are excited to launch an updated and revised site for everyone's benefit. The timing is wonderful as this becomes a Christmas present for all who use the park year-round. You will find many new features to this site and we thought we'd review that for you a bit so that you can check it out.

You have the ability to make pavilion and picnic area reservations online! Look at us jumping head-first into the 1990's! Yes now you can see availability online to plan your next event right here!

Event listing - As we have events planned, they will all be listed here for the year. Even if we only have a date, you'll know it.

Friends of Harrybrooke - The volunteers of this park are its lifeblood. We cannot BE a park without volunteers who do so much from helping us plan an event, to parking cars, to cleaning the mansion and so very much more. You can submit your request of what you'd like to do right here!

news/podcast - regular news from other publications are now posted in our news feed. This way you can see what the park is up to. Also featured is our regular podcast dedicated to park events and your health and wellness. The old podcasts are all also available.

Store - For the first time, the park will be offering clothing and items to commemorate your visit or your memories. While it's not a massive store now, more will come soon, so check in regularly.

As you can see, it's a big step forward to make your experience as fluid as possible. This is the website that we were hoping for and this is your opportunity to get closer than you ever have before. We welcome 2018 and appreciate the true passion that people have for this park. We share it. We appreciate it. We are committed to honoring it.